The four-piece from Mt Aspiring College were among 24 acts competing in the regional final held at the Memorial Hall in Queenstown on Thursday night.
Although they've done it before, the win still came as a surprise to front man, Isaac Bell.
"We're so stoked to win," he said. "I saw about five acts that I thought were all better than us. I guess technically is where we stand out. Our music is influenced by hard rock and grungy stuff and it's not as though our sound is anything super new, but rhythmically and melodically it's unique."
The rest of Wanaka's Near Armageddon is Morgan Allen (lead guitar), Lucan Smith (bass) and Tyler Bailey (drums).
Second place in the band category was awarded to Missing In Action from Dunstan High School. The six piece is made up of Amy Bonsor (vocals), Bella Cubitt (vocals), Mia Kelly (guitar), Michael Hutton (keyboard), Ross Coubrough (drums) and Leo Gibbons (bass).
Connor Moore and John Steven, an acoustic folk duo performing as ‘Two', used their off-stage chemistry to take the solo/duo section out.
Moore sings while John accompanies her on acoustic guitar.
Violet Hirst (performing as Violet) from Wakatipu High School placed second in the solo/duo category.
These four acts win musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops, and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final at Auckland's Raye Freedman Centre on Friday 11 September.
The full list of awards made on Thursday night was:
Band 1st place: Near Armageddon, Mt Aspiring College
Band 2nd place: Missing In Action, Dunstan High School
Solo/Duo 1st place: Two, Mt Aspiring College
Solo/Duo 2nd place: Violet, Wakatipu High School
Band 3rd place: Concrete Jumble, Wakatipu High School
APRA Lyric Award: Kirsty McCorkindale, Clone Radio, Wakatipu High School
Lowdown Best Song: Banter, Wakatipu High School
Smokefree Award For Women's Musicianship: Sofia Machray, Wakatipu High School
People's Choice voted by text: Sofia Machray, Wakatipu High School